Thousands Affected From Incessant Rain...

... in Comval and initial damages reported

By Fe F. Maestre

Compostela Valley Province (January 25, 2017, 1 PM)—  Municipalities especially in the District 1 area are now affected following the incessant rain inundating the province. As of January 25, 2017 (11 AM) report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), a total of 2,276 families were already affected and still in different evacuation centers.

According to PDRRMO head Raul Villocino, the number of families affected from the flood are as follows: Nabunturan with 182 families, Compostela with 530 families, Monkayo with 698 families, New Bataan with 721 families, Montevista with 103 families, Mawab with 36 families, and Maragusan with 6 families affected by the flood.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in coordination with the Municipal and Barangay DRRMOs have since conducted relief operations in various barangays. The Congressional offices of Cong. Maricar Zamora and Cong. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga also distributed food packs while hot meals were served to evacuees courtesy from the Philippine Red Cross-Comval Chapter.

Roads and bridges were also damaged. As of latest report from DPWH, Compostela, Comval  to Cateel, Davao Oriental road is now passable although in one lane as DPWH continue to conduct clearing operations in the area. The assessment team has still to come up with the cost of infrastructure damage.

Meanwhile, initial damage to agriculture already reached to PhP40,550,350.10 Million as per report from the Provincial Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) with 2,623 farmers affected. These include damage to rice, corn, high value commercial crops, and fishery. 

Villocino said they are monitoring the weather and is expecting rain to continue over the weekend.

Gov. Tyron Uy, who has been active in disseminating updates especially on social media, continues to call on the Comvalenyos to remain vigilant on any eventualities.  He has already suspended classes since Monday. The governor also expressed his thanks to the support extended by the national agencies such as the Philippine Army, PNP, BFP, Phil. Red Cross and other agencies. He also thanked the DSWD thru Reg. Dir. Mercedita Jabagat for the food packs to the evacuees and to DOH Asec. and Reg. Dir. Abdullah Dumama Jr. for the medicines that will be distributed in the province.

Comval has been under the Red Warning level as of January 24, 8PM advisory from the DOST-Pagasa which means heavy rainfall that will result to serious flooding and higher chance of landslides. The eastern section of Mindanao has been affected by the tail- end of a cold front causing rains in various parts of the region. (fe f maestre, ids comval)

Independent Probe on Mamasapano Essential

Office of Senator

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 602 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

26 January 2017

Cayetano: Independent probe on Mamasapano essential

The truth will prevent a repeat of another Mamasapano

"Let the independent commission get to the truth quietly and without politics."

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano stressed this as he welcomed the order of President Rodrigo’s Duterte creating an independent commission that will investigate the gruesome Mamasapano massacre that led to the deaths of 44 Special Action Force commandos. 

“Together with President Duterte, I have witnessed how the families of SAF’s Gallant 44 have suffered,” said Cayetano. “For the past two years, justice continues to elude them and they have yet to receive the full assistance that was promised to them,” he added.

“Many have pledged not to forget and vowed to do everything for justice to be served. I am one of them,” the senator said.

The senator further said he is saddened by the disappointing reaction of some of his colleagues, belittling the presidential initiative, labeling it merely as a political diversionary tactic. 

Senators Antonio Trillanes and Leila De Lima accused the administration of using the reopening of the investigation of the Mamasapano massacre as a way to divert attention from allegations of abuses. 

“It is hypocritical on the part of Senators Trillanes and De Lima to oppose the reopening of the investigation, when they pretend to be the staunchest advocates of human rights and justice,” the senator lamented. 

Cayetano noted how the two senators repeatedly accuse the administration of condoning human rights violations, but are now the first to turn a blind eye to the SAF families’ call for justice. 

In his speech before the SAF families and the President in Malacañang, Cayetano said he believes President Duterte is the right person to get justice for SAF 44 but at the same time finding the right balance in pursuit of true and lasting peace.

He called on the public to continue supporting the administration’s efforts to resolve the case.

"While I remain confident in President Duterte’s commitment to deliver on this promise, I also urge the Filipino people to support the administration’s fight for justice,” said Cayetano. 

"I continue to pray for the families of the gallant SAF44. Rest assured that change, justice, and compassion are real and within reach under the Duterte leadership,” he intoned. ###

I want to be famous!

THU, JANUARY 26, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

A career is a rapid motion. A course of action. A professional conduct in life. A progress through life. What is a careerist? One who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement his or her own aim in life.

When career doubts won’t go away? What if you’re not happy in your job? Is it possible that you’re in the wrong entirely?

My parents always (!) wanted me to become a banker. So far so good. Why not? Maybe I would have been more (or very happy) in my job. Or not?

The pressure “to be” someone starts in life early indeed. Not only my parents, also peers and teachers begun to exert influence. Yes, I even didn’t know where my inclinations lie.

Being a doctor or a lawyer? Yes, I was interested in law and medicine during that time.

“The way that people pick careers is incredibly primitive,” said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of “The Pathfinder”. So, it’s no wonder, he said, that so many people are dissatisfied with their jobs. Me too! Yes, count me in! Not mass-communication has been been my subject, but publishing house management. So far so good.

I always thought about a true calling for me. Sure, people whose careers aren’t the right fit often feel like impostors, the Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

How about you, my dear reader? Are you also placing too high your value on the external rewards of job, like money, prestige and power? Sure, these things are indeed important. Hold on! The work you do and the skills your opportunity require and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfillment. Paperwork or not…. You think, you find a better career fit? Go ahead – but don’t expect that this is your life’s career!

I waited my “better calling” experiencing many better and wonderful moments in life. I experienced also that what I did had been very much compatible to me, as what my parents thought.

I became what I am now. A professor, a businessman, yes -thank you Lord!- a columnist, radio host and an expatriate in the Philippines since 18 years now (!) enjoying life here and cherishing the incredible companionship with these incredible Filipino people.